And it was told Tamar, saying, Behold thy father in law goeth up to Timnath to shear his sheep.

GENESIS 38:13KJV
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Genesis 38:13 (KJV)

What does Genesis 38:13 mean?

Genesis 38:13 reports that someone told Tamar, “Look, your father-in-law is going up to Timnath to shear his sheep.” This verse sets up Tamar’s next actions by letting her know Judah’s location and activities.

In the story, Tamar is Judah’s daughter-in-law, and she has been waiting for Judah to fulfill a promise to her. The news that Judah is traveling to Timnath for sheep shearing—a time often marked by celebration—gives Tamar the opportunity to act in response to her situation. The verse is a turning point, providing the information Tamar needs to make her next move.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 38:13

  • “Told” (נָגַד, nagad) means to announce or report. Here, it highlights that Tamar receives this information from someone else, not firsthand.
  • “Shear” (גָּזַז, gazaz) refers to the act of cutting wool from sheep. Sheep shearing was a significant event, often accompanied by festivities, which helps explain why Judah’s journey is important in the story.
  • “Timnath” (תִּמְנָתָה, Timnathah) is a specific place name, showing this is a real, local event rather than a vague or symbolic journey.

Why Genesis 38:13 matters

  • This verse clarifies how Tamar knows where Judah will be, which is crucial for understanding her later actions in the story.
  • The mention of sheep shearing hints at a festive, social setting, which helps explain why Judah might be traveling and why Tamar chooses this moment.
  • By placing Tamar’s decision in a specific time and place, the verse grounds the story in real-life customs and events, making the narrative more concrete and understandable.

Where else these words appear

“law” Hebrew H2524 · used in 4 verses

  • Genesis 38:25 When she was brought forth, she sent to her father in law, saying, By the man, whose these are, am I with child: and she said, Discern, I pray thee, whose are these, the signet, and bracelets, and staff.
  • 1 Samuel 4:19 And his daughter in law, Phinehas' wife, was with child, near to be delivered: and when she heard the tidings that the ark of God was taken, and that her father in law and her husband were dead, she bowed herself and travailed; for her pains came upon her.
  • 1 Samuel 4:21 And she named the child Ichabod, saying, The glory is departed from Israel: because the ark of God was taken, and because of her father in law and her husband.

“Timnath” Hebrew H8553 · used in 10 verses

  • Genesis 38:12 And in process of time the daughter of Shuah Judah's wife died; and Judah was comforted, and went up unto his sheepshearers to Timnath, he and his friend Hirah the Adullamite.
  • Joshua 15:57 Cain, Gibeah, and Timnah; ten cities with their villages:
  • Judges 14:2 And he came up, and told his father and his mother, and said, I have seen a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines: now therefore get her for me to wife.

“shear” Hebrew H1494 · used in 15 verses

  • Genesis 31:19 And Laban went to shear his sheep: and Rachel had stolen the images that were her father's.
  • 1 Samuel 25:4 And David heard in the wilderness that Nabal did shear his sheep.
  • Job 1:20 Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,

“Tamar” Hebrew H8559 · used in 22 verses

  • Genesis 38:6 And Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, whose name was Tamar.
  • 2 Samuel 13:5 And Jonadab said unto him, Lay thee down on thy bed, and make thyself sick: and when thy father cometh to see thee, say unto him, I pray thee, let my sister Tamar come, and give me meat, and dress the meat in my sight, that I may see it, and eat it at her hand.
  • 2 Samuel 13:22 And Absalom spake unto his brother Amnon neither good nor bad: for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.